What Are The CBD Oil Benefits for Epilepsy?

Some of the numbers related to epilepsy are simply mind boggling. More than 65 million people across the world endure this chronic neurological disorder characterized by epileptic seizures. Out of this 3.4 million people reside in the U.S alone.

The Causes of Epilepsy As mentioned above, epilepsy is a neurological disorder. The electrical communication between neurons in the brain is somehow compromised resulting in vigorous shaking and trembling. However, no two epileptic attacks are the same. In fact epilepsy is broadly classified into six categories.

Some of the common external factors which may aggravate or initiate a trigger include.

Sleep deprivation

Alcohol or drug abuse (of course not applicable to children)

Other illnesses such as chronic pain, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis, anxiety and depression

Stress and unwanted mental burden

Flashing bright lights or patterns

Hormonal changes or menstrual cycle syndrome

Certain medication (such as those used in cancer treatment) may aggravate or result in seizure

Erratic eating habits or dieting

Excess caffeine or power drinks

There are a range of established treatments for epilepsy. However, most are only effective some of the time. In case none of the treatments work then the patient needs to opt for a more customized or specialized treatment plan. A point to note – in spite of the advancement in understanding and treating epilepsy, 30% of people living with the condition do not respond to existing anti-epileptic drugs, especially those suffering from Dravet syndrome.

For this reason, researchers all over the world are seeking alternative sources to treat this disease and ease the struggles of patients. In recent times medical fraternities have been talking about the usefulness of cannabis and its derivatives ( CBD oil benefits )for treating epilepsy.

CB oil is derived from the seeds of the hemp plant. Hemp, a cousin of the better known cannabis plant, is one variant of the cannabis plant. It has long been known for its medicinal properties.

However, there is still much suspicious and mistrust around hemp products as people believe it will cause the same addictive ‘high’ as its cousin does. This is, however, untrue. Hemp and the cannabidiol (CBD oil) it produces do not contain the same properties as cannabis does, making them perfectly safe to use.

So far, preclinical and even clinical trials have proved that CBD oil reduces seizures effectively, particularly in patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy. CBD oil has proved to be effective against not only reducing the intensity of these attacks but also the number of occurrences.

Benefits of CBD Oil for Epilepsy

Cannabinoids latch on to the receptors present in the body to produce relevant effects. Incidentally, the human body produces its own cannabinoids and has dedicated receptors called CB1 and CB2 to process these substances. Interestingly, receptors are located across the body but most of them are found in the brain which is the hub of complex functionalities. While the CB1 receptors in the brain manage coordination and movement, pain, emotions, thought process, mood, appetite and memory, the CB2 receptors affect inflammation and pain.

It has been clinically proven that CBD oil is effective against epileptic attacks both in terms of quality and quantity. However, there is no proof as of yet to suggest that CBD oil has any effect on focal seizures.

The exact reason for its effectiveness is still undergoing thorough study. Once this understanding is clear it will enhance its usage and potential for use even further. As scientists work round the clock, experimenting with CBD oil for various illnesses including neurological disorders, it is no doubt destined for a major overhaul in the epilepsy domain.

Some of the major reasons why the scientific community is seriously experimenting with CBD oil are mentioned below.

CBD oil is not expensive. This single factor makes it a potential candidate for further investigations. In some of the major clinical trials cannabidiols have been found to be extremely effective in providing short and long term relief. As compared to some of the current anti epileptic drugs, CBD oil costs a fraction making it a much more accessible option to patients.

CBD oil is biocompatible. This simply means it works with human tissues and organs in the most efficient and safe manner. Moreover, it does not harm internal or external organs even if used for lengthy periods.

There are no proven negative side effects of CBD oil; even if used for an extended period. The ability of CBD oil to alleviate the symptoms of epilepsy and seizures has been proven on animals. The FDA has already approved human trials specifically on epileptic children in order to study the role of CBD oil in greater depth.

Why Use CBD Oil for Epilepsy CBD is a synonym for cannabidiol, a derivative or a chemical substance found in Cannabis sativa plant. This compound has several therapeutic benefits and is non psychotic in nature. Unlike THC, another chemical substance found in cannabis, CBD is not addictive nor can it be abused in any way.

The answer to the question “Why use CBD oil for Epilepsy” lies in the mechanism of human ECS or endocannabinoid system. The scientific community has known for a long time that a strong ECS system is vital for effective and robust immune system and the body’s ability to fight, treat and heal its built-in defective functionalities, epilepsy being one of them.

The Endocannabinoid system can be boosted through external supplements or substances such as CBD oil, especially when the body fails to produce its own cannabinoids due to improper diet or biological malfunction. In the early clinical trials it was exposed that the ECS system is responsible for the regulation of the human body’s “consistent” state of balance or homeostasis, and how any changes within this system could bring about internal irregularities.

This could lead to anxiety disorders, loss of appetite, hormonal imbalance, reduced pain threshold and weak immune response. Incidentally, whenever a change takes place, it is facilitated by the human body to restore its normal levels of cannabinoids, thereby keeping the whole system in a healthy state. This typically reduces illnesses and incase a treatment is in progress CBD oil acts as a catalyst.

Coming back to the clinical trials, the studies conducted at various medical facilities have proven beyond doubt that CBD oil lessens the indications and seizures. Doctors and consulting physicians typically prescribe a minimum dosage of CBD oil during the early treatment. The quantity is either scaled down or up depending on the results.

It should be understood that cannabis and hemp are part of the same family of plants. Their main differences being that cannabis has THC and hemp does not. Both are rich in CBD however any CBD oil generated from cannabis will always have to state that it could have some THC trace elements within it. Each will have their own mixture of natural and essential oil, but this is dependent on the overall product and treatment. CBD from hemp or cannabis doesn’t make a difference in regards to its recreational and medical benefits. This is all, once again dependent on the product/treatment.

As more and more states legalize the use of medical cannabis, the future looks bright for those suffering from epilepsy as it opens up the door for further studies and better treatments based on this miracle chemical substance. The benefits of CBD oil just cannot be ignored anymore.